SEATTLE – After opening the 2022 season with three home matches, the Seattle Pacific University men's soccer team faces their first major road trip of the season, heading to Colorado for a match against Regis on Thursday at 6 p.m. PST followed by a meeting with Colorado School of Mines on Saturday at 5 p.m. PST.
WHAT'S THE STORY THIS WEEK
The Falcons are searching for their first victory of the 2022 campaign. In their opening weekend, the team played two 0-0 draws against Chico State and Sonoma State. Matches no longer feature overtime periods, as the NCAA has eliminated the two 10-minute golden goal overtime periods for regular-season play.
Both matches featured scoring opportunities for the Falcons. Connor Tollan and Ed Weise each had dangerous chances in the first half against the Wildcats, but couldn't push one past the keeper. Against the Seawolves, Alden Massey drilled a shot that grazed the keeper's fingers before bouncing hard off the crossbar. Judah Johnston also blasted one that Sonoma State saved.
The Falcons tied Chico State with four shots on goal and forced seven corner kicks. Two Saturdays ago, they led 5-2 in shots on goal against Sonoma State. SPU expected goals against West Texas A&M and got them last Saturday night.
Demain Alverez and Andrew Tran each scored their first career goals against the Buffalos. Each came similarly, as Alvarez and Tran both converted penalty kicks. Alvarez stepped up for his chance in the first half. As the Buffalo keeper dove left, Alvarez punched one through the right side to give the Falcons an early 1-0 lead. Tran's time came late in the second half. Tran knocked home the chance through the lower left side.
West Texas A&M entered the season ranked 17th in the country on the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25. They brought their fast, physical play style to Interbay Stadium last Saturday night. The visitors outshot the Falcons 22-12, with eight being on goal. The result went the way of the Buffalo by a score of 3-2.
So yes, the Falcons are still searching for their first win of the 2022 season. That doesn't mean they haven't been playing well. They shut out two teams from the CCAA while having several near misses throughout each match. They battled one of the country's best, showing resilience to bring the difference to just one late in the second half. The wins are coming and could be found in Colorado this weekend.
SCOUTING THE REGIS RANGERS (1-3, 0-0 RMAC)
The Rangers entered the 2022 season selected fourth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. The Rangers are coming off of a 2021 season that saw the team finish sixth in the RMAC standings with a 10-8-1 overall record (5-5 RMAC) and climb as high as No. 22 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
After taking their season opener 2-1 over Texas A&M International, the Rangers have dropped three straight matches. Last Sunday, the team fell 2-1 to CSU San Marcos. The Rangers have faced 35 shots and given up nine goals over four matches.
The Rangers aren't struggling to create offense. They've sent 8.3 shots per game but have scored just three times this season. Rayhan Carlson-Du Toit, Michael Jimenez and Vihjalmur Kaldal have scored for Regis. Kaldad leads the squad with seven shots, as 42.9 percent are on goal.
SCOUTING THE COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES OREDIGGERS (1-1-2, 0-0 RMAC)
The Orediggers landed second in the RMAC Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll. They claimed three first-place votes while totaling 92 points. They trailed Colorado Mesa by just five points. The Orediggers entered the season at #20 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason rankings.
The Orediggers (14-4-2, 9-0-1 RMAC in 2021) won their fifth straight RMAC title last season by going unbeaten in conference play. No other team in the history of the RMAC has ever won five consecutive championships.
It's been a slow start for the Orediggers in 2022. They dropped their season opener to CSU Monterey Bay 2-1 on Aug. 26, before bouncing back for a convincing 2-0 shutout over San Francisco State on Aug. 28. Mines tied both #5 Cal Poly Pomona and CSU San Bernardino last weekend. Azad Illozer and Tristan Semelsberger have been great for Mines, scoring two goals each.
UP NEXT
The Falcons will host a pair of PacWest Conference schools next week. Point Loma is in town on Sept. 15th for a 7 p.m. kick, followed by a visit from Concordia-Irvine on Sept. 17th at 2 p.m.
